Ever had one of those weeks where you felt like every time you picked up the pencil or paintbrush (or whatever your preferred medium or tools may be) it just… sucked? That’s what’s been happening with me the past two weeks.
I took my acrylics with me when I was house-sitting, along with an older painting that I wanted to touch up. There were some parts of it that I was never quite happy with and felt that I could spiffy it up a little. I spent about an hour on it before I gave up. It’s been set aside to give me time to ponder if it’s worth it or if I should just gesso over it and start again. I still like the idea, but the execution just wasn’t my best. I’ve gotten better with acrylics since then.
I sat down with the sketchbook several times while I was gone and scribbled some more mostly uninspired ideas for a project I’m hoping will come through. If it doesn’t happen, I can still use the sketches I’ve completed (more than just the few I did this past week) for fun little mini paintings for my shops. But the latest sketches just didn’t excite me. One thing I’m learning to ask myself when evaluating something I’m working on is if it has my touch of quirkiness or whimsy to it. And if so, is it enough? These just didn’t have it.
I sat down again tonight with the sketchpad. One of my art groups just announced another idea for a charity and I felt that maybe I might be able to complete something in time to participate. I fooled around a bit, trying out a few things, but just got frustrated. I wanted to throw the pencil and pad at the wall, but instead snarked a bit about my frustrations to my Mom, who patiently puts up with me. She’s a saint. 
It’s been an hour since then and I think something might be loosening up inside. After that short little outburst, I just started playing around and letting the lines fall where they may. I grabbed the paper that had pre-printed squares on it and just forgot the normal subjects I usually gravitate to and instead let the lines go. I didn’t think about if it would be good enough for this or that project, I didn’t try to draw something even remotely realistic, I just felt myself start to follow these wonderful curvy lines, created jagged angles and splattered fun polka dots on the page.
You know what? I’m feeling better. None of the doodles are earth shattering or creative masterpieces, but I think two of them may become some abstract mini paintings in the future. And they got me to see some common everyday things from a different perspective. Maybe, just maybe this funk I’ve been in is slowly lifting…
Subscribe to this comment's feed
